In defence of Ozil by Dan Smith
I was surprised when Ozil decided to sign a new contract back in January. After all why would he want another 3 years of being the scapegoat? His countrymen have now copied gooners in the fashion of making the German an easy target. What he’s finding out is once you get labelled, it’s hard to change perception.
He was brought to Arsenal to make goals, he’s one of the best in the world at doing that. Not an opinion, a fact! Since moving to the Premiership no one has more assists then him in this country, not even close. That was the same case in La Liga, The Bundesliga and on international duty. So statistics show he’s good at what he’s meant to be good at (imagine if he was in a better team?)
Fans though like to focus on his weak points, eg; his lack of defensive awareness, he doesn’t track back, his body language, not physical enough, doesn’t fancy the cold Wednesday night at Stoke, to name a few. Could it be that he’s rubbish at all of the above because HES A PLAYMAKER!!
Name me the best number 10’s and I bet you they don’t do the dirty side of the game either. Ozil is playing the same role he’s always played which had been effective enough to win silverware in Germany, Spain, end our trophy drought – and the small matter of a World Cup medal. So he’s done something right in his career.
Ozil is the first to realise he’s not protected by his midfield, that he can’t trust his back 4, that the strikers are not on his wavelength in terms of vision. He’s wondering where is the world class DM, CB and CF who have skills in their specific roles to let him express himself. He wasn’t hammered at any of his former clubs for being a luxury because he had the best defenders and DM money could buy.
When Arsene Wenger was splashing out 40 million on him , it was his stats in the final third that he cared about. Instead of us asking Stan Kroenke ‘why is Ozil not playing with players on his level’ we aim our anger at the midfielder himself. After all he’s the one with the massive wages so he should be playing the role which isn’t his responsibility?
Which is why I’m stunned why he would choose to stay in North London. Nothing will change in the immediate future, it might even take new owners. Ozil will continue to play for a decent cup team with no ambition to win the Premiership. This summer we will continue to sign players based on value over bettering the squad, leaving it to him to take the abuse.
With Mr Wenger forced out, Ozil will become the board’s main shield. The marquee name expected to do the impossible with limited resources. He could’ve left for a team with better players , better owners and fans who support him.
Dan Smith